Arlington Fire Commissioner Chairman Jim Beretta said the board majority feel the flags are a "liability during normal operations for our people and other motorists," and that the board had not been consulted before the flags were mounted

Union President Joseph Tarquinio said he's disappointed in the board's direction, but "if we had to take them down, they had to be taken down the right way. At the time when the country needs unity, to do something like this ... it's next to flag-burning in my mind."

Online, reaction varied. Hundreds of people expressed outrage at the decision. Others said the display, while patriotic, violated U.S. flag code. Some said there are bigger issues to worry about and that displaying — or not displaying — an American flag does not make one person more patriotic than another.

I agree this is primarily hate America horseshit. However, I have worked in our litigious culture since the 70's. Attorneys, particularly those who work for municipalities, are ALWAYS trying to justify their worth[tough job!]. So, the liability angle is part of that. Again, probably not the primary motivation, but certainly part of this toxic equation.

It's not like they were told to remove two tiny flag, or two decals. Those are two regular flapping distracting low-rider, General Grant, no call having, where'd I park my truck flags. It's weird having them as decoration in the first place. The whole fire engine is basically an American flag in its way. You wouldn't put them on your car for reasons of common sense, for reasons of parking, for reasons of not being a dofus on the highway, for reasons of opening your trunk, for reasons of not being pulled over by the cops. C'mon, be reasonable.

It doesn't seem a decision arising from ochlophobia. Although it does appear to arise from resentment about not being part of the decision, and just plain, "we'll show you who's the boss."

You have to admit that they're goofy. They're childish. Worst of all, they really do look like they could interfere with rolling out hoses, and rolling them back, or using the ladder. It might even have been a fireman who mentioned it to the board.

Would you want large flags attached to AF and Navy jets? Two large flags attached to the stern of Coast Guard boats? Two giant flags attached to bulletproof Presidential limousines? Two large flags attached to police motorcycles?

I don't think it has anything to do with them being offensive. I'm fine with the decision.

I see a primary liability which is sorta legit. There are many death/injury lawsuits over shit flying off the back of moving vehicles. This is a vehicle that travels @ high rates of speed and takes sharp corners. Now, it could be secured to make that very unlikely. But, shit does happen. What about large flag decals on the truck? That will eliminate the liability and make the America haters expose themselves.

bag, I just read a glowing report on his new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway. And the person is not a fan of Trump. She is half Irish half Italian. She is a GWU law grad. A mother of 4 and VERY disciplined. This person giving her background was her professor and has high praise for her. I like the move. Manafort is a fucking K Street mope.

Of course bags is here to say Trump's speech was "fantastic" but implies it was too little and too late. Of course most of America is not paying attention during the heat of the summer and will only turn their attention to the election in October which is how it always works.

Conway is a very effective spokeswoman but the key additions are the former head of Breibart News Steve Bannon and the announcement that Roger Ailes will be deeply involved in Trumps campaign. This is very significant as it shows that media savy people will have more to say then bundlers and inside baseball guys like Manafort. These guys can play the media like a fiddle and it will be interesting to see what they come up with..

The measure of how effective it will be is how vociferously they are being denounced by cucks like Ben Shapiro and Allahpundit who are all over the place freaking out. The pig squeals when it is getting stuck.

Yes, I can see the liability, but until an accident occurs; those things don't come off until someone gets offended. I would think starting a fire in the middle of a crowded street would carry liability too, but that's considered freedom of speech.

As for coming off a vehicle "moving at a high rate of speed"; fire trucks don't really go that fast. They move quickly because they can run through lights and screech loudly for right of way. But typical speeds are less than 50 mph. Flags on the other hand are crafted typically to sit at the top of a flag pole attached to a simple clip and handle wind speeds of 50 knots.